Hybrid-produced sheet metal element and method of producing same

Abstract

A sheet metal element in the form of a semi-finished product is produced by joining at least one part consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness is variable along the rolling direction and at least one part consisting of a rolled sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness.

1 . A sheet metal element in the form of a semi-finished product, produced by joining at least one part consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness is variable along the rolling direction A and at least one part consisting of a rolled sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness.  
   
   
       2 . A sheet metal element in the form of a semi-finished product, produced by joining at least two parts consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies along the respective rolling direction A 1 , A 2 .  
   
   
       3 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the joint extends substantially parallel to said rolling direction A, A 1 , A 2  along which the sheet thickness of the flexibly rolled sheet metal changes.  
   
   
       4 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the joint extends substantially transversely to said rolling direction A, A 1 , A 2  along which the sheet thickness of the flexibly rolled sheet metal changes.  
   
   
       5 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein at least partially differing sheet metal thicknesses meet at the joint).  
   
   
       6 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein a part consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies along the rolling direction A is positioned between two parts consisting of sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness.  
   
   
       7 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein a part consisting of sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness is positioned between two parts consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies in the respective rolling direction A, A 1 , A 2 .  
   
   
       8 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the individual parts are butt-welded.  
   
   
       9 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the individual parts are welded so as to overlap.  
   
   
       10 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the individual parts are clinched or riveted in an overlapping condition.  
   
   
       11 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the individual parts are glued to one another in an overlapping condition.  
   
   
       12 . A sheet metal element according to claims  1  or  2 , wherein the individual parts are connected to one another by a crimp connection.  
   
   
       13 . A method of producing sheet metal elements in the form of semi-finished products, wherein at least one strip of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies along the rolling direction A and one strip of rolled sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness are continuously joined parallel to said rolling direction to form a strip and that subsequently, sheet metal elements consisting of at least one part of flexibly rolled strip and at least one part of sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness are separated.  
   
   
       14 . A method of producing sheet metal elements in the form of semi-finished products, wherein at least two strips of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies along the respective rolling direction A 1 , A 2  are joined parallel to said rolling direction to form a strip and that subsequently sheet metal elements consisting of at least two different parts are separated from the strip.  
   
   
       15 . A method of producing sheet metal elements in the form of semi-finished products, wherein parts consisting of flexibly rolled sheet metal whose sheet thickness varies along the respective rolling direction A, A 1 , A 2  and parts consisting of rolled sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness are alternately continuously joined transversely to said rolling direction to form a strip and that subsequently sheet metal elements consisting of at least one part of flexibly rolled sheet metal and at least one part of sheet metal with a constant sheet thickness are separated.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the strips are joined in such a way that different plate thicknesses meet at the joint.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to claims  13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein the joint strip is coiled and heat-treated.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to claims  13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein the joined strip is surface-treated.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to claims  13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein, prior to being separated, the joined strip is deformed to form a profile.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to claims  13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein the sheet metal elements are deformed after the strip has been divided.